CRA SPRINTS RETURN TO PERRIS APRIL 12

Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, after hosting Saturday night’s “Sokola Shootout,” also hosts the next AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint race on April 12. Defending series champion Damion Gardner has emerged as the early point leader, 20 points ahead of 2013 third-place driver Nic Faas.

Gardner, of Concord, Calif., won Saturday’s 30-lapper. He took the lead in his Scott Sales Company/Advanced Racing Suspension Spike/J & D from Mike Spencer on lap 14 and led the final 16 laps to beat Spencer, Faas, Matt Mitchell and Ronnie Gardner, who led the first two laps before Spencer led laps 3-13.

The defending series champion was also the fastest qualifier and won his heat race. His victory extended his all-time USAC/CRA lead to 27 races, compared with Spencer’s 25.